NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 130, 4 June 1945, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

WEATHER FORECAST

Forecast to 5 p.m. Tuesday:— Light and variable winds. Weather fine. Cold tonight with frost, but temperatures moderating tomorrow. Further outlook: Fair to fine. Temperature at 9 a.m., 42.3deg. Frost, Ideg. Rainfall for 24 hours ended 9.30 today, nil. Rainfall from May 4, 4.26 in. New moon, June 10. High Water.—Today, 11.48 p.m.; tomorrow, 12.10 p.m. Sun sets today, 5 p.m.; rises tomorrow 7.39 a.m., sets 4.59 p.m. Fresh Cabbage for Troops. Instancing what could be effected by good organisation, Mr. A. H. Waterson, of Hastings, told a meeting of the Manawatu Produce Growers' Association that 48 hours after the Americans landed on Iwo Jima there were delivered to them fresh cabbages which had come from New Zealand, states the "Manawatu Evening Standard." One could understand what it would mean to have fresh vegetables on hand at such a time. If that could be done on Iwo Jima, 6000 miles from New Zealand, there might be good possibilities of developing an export trade in vegetables. Dehydrated Potatoes. "I think we will have a market for dehydrated potatoes after the war, and it will be all to the good if there is," said Mr. J. W. Gibbons, produce officer of the Internal Marketing Division, Wellington, at a meeting of produce* growers in Palmerston North last evening, states the "Manawatu Evening Standard." Potatoes were now being dehydrated at Christchurch, he said, and it had been found that only two varieties were suitable for this. These, however, processed so well that it was hoped, in view of the reception they ,had been given overseas, that an overseas market could be developed in the post-war years. Money In Deer Skins. During the past few months many parties of deer stalkers in South Westland have earned big cheques from deer skins, states the "Press." By the motorship Gael over £700 worth of skins were brought recently to Hokitika from the Okuru and Haast districts. The average skin is worth about £3, while many of the big skins fetch as high as £5 each. One stalker recently went out for a day and returned with three skins, worth in all more than £10. Another party of two men secured close on 20 skins for a short stay in the high country of the Southern Alps. Post Office Clock Towers. Instructions that work on the demolition of clock towers on post office buildings be stopped in the meantime have been given by the Minister of Works (Mr. Semple), according to Miss M. B. Howard, M.P., who has returned to Christchurch after an interview with the Minister on the subject of the Sydenham clock, states the "Press." Miss Howard went to Wellington as the result of a public meeting at Sydenham. Mr. Semple promised her that, if.the Sydenham clock N> tower could be put in a safe condition, it would not be removed.. He gave instructions that work on the demolition of clock towers should be suspended until the civic authorities concerned had been consulted. He told her that he did not want to pull clocks down, and that where the towers could be made safe that would not be done. The proposal to remove the towers, because of the possible danger to life, had come from the Post and Telegraph Department, but his Department came into it, as it had to do the work. Air School at Sockburn, The early days of flying training in Canterbury were recalled by Group Captain G. A. Nicholls when he spoke of a wings presentation ceremony at Wigram, states the "Press." He said Sir Henry Wigram was not able to obtain Government support for aviation as a defence measure, and it was left to private enterprise to form the Canterbury Aviation Company, which in 1917 began to train men for service with the Royal Flying Corps. Group Captain Nicholls said he was the tenth pupil, 28 years ago almost to the day. His course had a great disappointment when, on the day they were to qualify, the first student crashed the aeroplane, so that their passing out was delayed until it could be rebuilt. The permanent air force was established in 1923, Wigram being the first station, with a strength of four officers and seven other ranks. Struck by Lightning. , Lightning during the afternoon of May 27 caused considerable damage to two residences at Utopia, two miles from Westport. One residence, that of Mr. E. Roberts, was struck by lightning, and all electrical fittings in the house were burnt and the wireless set was blown to pieces. The owners were absent'at the time, and a farm worker nearby who investigated found the house on "fire. His prompt action in throwing buckets of water over the flames saved the house from destruction. Another house in the distriqt, owned by Mr. A.' Woodward, was also "struck by lightning. All electric switches were blown off the walls, and the telephone was also damaged. Power lines in the area were affected, and at Mr. Woodward's farm , the milking machines were put out of action.